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Monday, November 30, 2015

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Assembly Tuesday witnessed uproar with opposition members demanding the resignation of Excise Minister K Babu in the bar case. The opposition reached the assembly with placards and banners during the question hour. In the midst of shouting slogans, the comments of some members of the ruling front provoked the opposition. They soon trooped to the well of the house for the derogatory comments made by the ruling front. The opposition protested demanding the apology of them. However, Speaker N Shakthan said such statements will not be seen in assembly procedures and cannot comment on the things which do not have any proof. He requested the opposition to cooperate with the assembly procedures. They withdrew after protesting for ten minutes and the question hour resumed after that.

BENGALURU: Former chief secretary V Ramachandran (84) passed away Tuesday. He died in Bengaluru following old age ailments. He was residing in Jawahar Nagar in the capital city.Ramachandran, an IAS officer of 1953 batch, retired from service in 1989. He had served as collector, planning and finance secretary, electricity board chairman and industrial development corporation chairman. He had also served as the joint secretary during the tenure of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai.He had also worked as consultant to UNESCAP, UNCHS, United Nations Economic & Social Council (UNESC), UNDP on multi-level planning, intergovernmental relations in countries, integrated physical, economic and environmental planning, Project Evaluation, etc. Had served as the vice-chairman of the U.N Committee on Right to Development from 1980 to 1984.After retiring from service, he was appointed advisor to Governor of Tamil Nadu during President’s rule in 1991. He was vice-chairman, State Planning Board, Kerala from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001-2005 with rank of Cabinet Minister.

IDUKKI: A 42-year-old nun was found dead in a well adjacent to the convent. The dead identified as Sister Liza Mariya of S H Convent at Ulupponi in Wagamon was found dead in the well Tuesday morning at 6.30 am. She was seen for dinner last night.As she was not seen for the morning prayers, a search conducted by other inmates found the body in the well which is 20 metres away from the convent. There were six nuns in the convent. Her slippers were found near the well which is 13 feet in depth.She was a native of Upputhara. An investigation has started by a team led by Peerumedu circle inspector.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that if anybody seeks permission for legal action against him, it will be granted in the very next moment. At a press conference here on Monday, Chandy was responding to the questions regarding the reports that DGP Jacob Thomas had given a letter to the chief secretary for legal action against the chief minister.

“I don’t know whether Jacob Thomas had given the letter to the chief secretary Jiji Thomson. Yesterday also I met Jiji but he didn’t say anything. And, in case, permission is sought, it will be given in the very next moment,” Oommen Chandy said.Chandy said: When I said that I knew how to discipline officials, I said that in a positive sense. What I’m asking is whether Kerala shouldn’t develop. Flats are necessary but I will not make any compromise in its safety factors.

Chandy also took exception to SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan’s “communally sensitive” speeches. “I have harshly criticised Natesan’s remarks. I don’t have any soft attitude towards him. I have received complaints against him. The home secretary and the chief secretary will take appropriate action as per law.”

In reply to Natesan’s remarks that government gives compensation only to Muslims or Christians, Chandy mentioned past instances when the government rendered financial aid to the needy irrespective of caste, religion or politics.

“Corruption is different from corruption charge. The Opposition need not threaten the government by levelling corruption charges. What happened to the allegations made over National Games and Vizhinjam project? Nothing is heard about that now. Even Mani resigned on his own, respecting Court’s suggestion and not because of allegations,” said Chandy, who added that he didn’t own any flat at Pattoor.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aluva police have registered a case against SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan under IPC 153 (A) for allegedly spreading communal hatred in Kerala.This was announced by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at a press conference here on Monday. He said the police had prepared the FIR based on several complaints, including that of Congress Chief Whip T N Prathapan MLA, media reports and the statement made by Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan. “The complaints had said that strong action should be taken against Vellapally who is making sensitive communal statements from different parts of the Kerala. The complaints received were handed over to home secretary and based on the advice of Directorate of Prosecution, the FIR was prepared,” he said.If proved the case could give Vellapally a jail term of three years and fine.Chennithala said that Vellapally was implementing the agendas of the RSS and BJP. “Vellapally has been indulging in a never-before propagation of communal hatred. His statement against Naushad, who sacrificed his life to save two labourers, is despicable. Kerala people should shun his comments, which will spread hatred on the basis of caste and religion. The home minister also informed that the Crime Branch had started probe into corruption allegation against Vellapally vis-à-vis Micro Finance corruption. “Crime Branch SP Sreedharan is in charge of the investigation. The government provides financial aides to the needy without considering their caste or religion. We would not allow any move aimed at destroying the communal peace and tranquillity in the State.”Regarding DGP Jacob Thomas’ complaint seeking permission for action against the chief minister, Chennithala said the chief secretary would send him the report on it and he would announce the government stand after examining the file concerned.Meanwhile, Vellapally said he was prepared for the arrest.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government is thinking about filing a case against SNDP yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan for allegedly spreading communal hatred through his speeches.Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told media persons that he had asked Home Secretary for a report in this regard“The government is viewing his speech seriously. The general opinion is that his speeches are creating hatred and divide among communities. KPCC president V M Sudheeran had called me up to complain about Natesan’s speech. T N Prathapan MLA has also given letter, asking the government to file a case against Vellapally. Chennithala said the government’s assessment was that the Vellapally’s remarks were of serious nature. Further action will be taken after considering the legal aspect. Vellapally’s comment was that if one happens to die in Kerala, he should die as a Muslim. He made this comment in the light of the government giving Rs 3 lakh as compensation to the family of auto-driver Naushadh, who had died while trying to save two workers caught inside a manhole. The government had also assured his wife a government job.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Biju Radhakrishnan, accused in the solar scam case, has come forward levelling allegations against congress leader K C Venugopal and the solar commission. An amount of Rs 35 lakh was given to him in two installments during his tenure as the union minister.The money was given to him after Venugopal assured to appoint team solar as the agency of ANERT. I estranged from him after knowing his illicit relationship with Saritha S Nair. Though I asked him to reimburse the money, he failed to do so. Solar commission secretary Divakaran tried to influence me in the presence of commission counsel Harikumar, alleged Biju Radhakrishnan. Divakaran had told Biju to disclose more only after the former held talks with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, said Biju.

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court Monday directed the state government to inform vigilance’ investigation progress in the bar bribery case. The court directed to submit a report on it within ten days. The court passed the order on the plea seeking a probe against Minister K Babu.The court is keen to know about the probe. The court asked the government to explain what steps they have taken on their order for more investigation on the allegation against Babu. The court directed that law will take its own way in the cases.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SNDP yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan should be arrested for his statement creating a sort of communal violence, said CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. His statements on manhole victim Noushad is part of conspiracy to rake up communal violence, he said. His remark was an insult to all workers who come running to help those involved in accidents. His statement was a call to damage the harmony of the state. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has a tradition of withdrawing a case registered against Praveen Togaida, who tried to harm the harmony of the state. If the government follows the same policy here also, then strong protests would be staged, he said.The SNDP was formed to circulate the message of Sree Narayana Guru. However, despite the views propagated by Guru, Vellappally, who is trying to create communal polarization, should resign his post and become a RSS propagandist, he said.

THODUPUZHA: Continuing his tirade against Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, SNDP yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan said V S has become a personification of nonsense. He is spreading false rumours in the name of Microfinance. “VS has been trying to dent the image of the SNDP and me through false propaganda. Even certain channel are attacking the Samtva Munnetta Yatra after taking payments. If all communities are ready, S N Trust is also ready for social auditing,” Vellapally said. He demanded that a special agency be inducted to find out the unfairness in the distribution of title deeds in Idukki. “Most part of the land in Idukki lies in the hands of a particular religious sect though the majority are Hindus. Though the term of the title deeds had expired, the land holders concerned have not handed back the land. The Western Ghats are full of ‘crosses’. Even the protection of the Western Ghats depends on the leniency of the church. Even the Left is not taking any stand against this and I pity the CPM for supporting the candidate fielded by the Church,” he said. Vellapally alleged that the government didn’t follow social justice while giving compensation to the deceased. “The family of auto-driver Naushad, who died inside manhole while trying to save labourers, was given compensation. The labourers’ family should also be given the compensation. Hindus in Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram are often neglected while compensations are given.”Vellapally also said that all deaths including that of Swami Saswathikananda should be probed, which means the investigation would have to start from certain VIPs’ home. His verbal attack also didn’t spare SNDP yogam former president Vidhyasagar. He called him power-crazy. “Vidhyasagar had tried all means to become Lt. Governor. I have proof for this. Now he has sided with the Left for Udumpumchola Assembly seat. Moreover, he has done nothing for the Ezhava community,” he added.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Assembly has been adjourned for the day following opposition uproar on the first day of the last session of the 13th Kerala Assembly. The opposition stalled proceedings demanding the resignation of Minister K Babu in the bar case as soon as the question hour began in the morning.The opposition, who reached the assembly with placards and banners shouted slogans seeking the resignation of Babu. When the opposition sought discussion on the issue after suspending question hour, the speaker while replying said the adjournment motion shall be considered during zero hour. The question hour continued in the midst of the logjam.Opposition deputy leader Kodiyer Balakrishnan sought seeking leave for an adjournment motion during zero hour. He alleged that there are two kinds of justice for Mani and Babu. Mani, who accepted a bribe of Rs one crore is out and Babu, who accepted 10 crore is in, he said sarcastically.However, while replying Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the case cannot be taken forward legally as the probe on the bar bribe allegation against Minister K Babu has ended. Neither the government nor the vigilance has dual justices on the probe in the bar case. The vigilance can investigate without registering the case. Vigilance director Winson M Paul conducted the probe in a good manner. Case against Mani and Babu are different. A statement was first obtained that the allegation against Babu was wrong, Chennithala informed the house.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan will file a plea in the vigilance court seeking arraignment of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the sensational Pattoor land deal case. VS will directly file the plea. When Jacob Thomas was the vigilance DGP, he had submitted a report mentioning the role of the chief minister in the Pattoor land deal. However, the court was of the stand that the report was unnecessary.Jacob Thomas’ report submitted to the government had found 15 officials’ including collector Biju Prabhakar and former collector, guilty of corruption, favouritism and illegalities.A private construction company was found to have encroached 30 cents of land. Construction work was carried in 24 cents. The 24-page report had also mentioned the names of Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who had the charge of revenue department then, former chief secretary E K Bharat Bhooshan and former additional chief secretary Nivedita P Haran. The vigilance court however said the report does not contain the names of any

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police Housing Construction MD DGP Jacob Thomas has given a letter seeking permission to approach the court against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The letter given to DGP T P Senkumar four days back has been handed over to the chief secretary. The chief minister has pictured me as anti-people and if not corrected publicly then should permit me to approach the court, the letter said. Thomas said the chief minister criticized me for returning the applications without giving sanction for flats. The letter explained that action was taken against flat owners when he was fire force DGP after considering the safety of the people. Thomas said that he was defamed and insulted after picturing him as anti-people. Being a top official, I was not given due consideration. Anil Kanth, who succeeded me as fire force chief, too supported my action. The chief minister continued his outburst against me. As a police official, I was tainted. The government’s action is very painful, he pointed in the letter. Meantime, chief secretary Jiji Thomson refused to divulge the details of the letter.Thomas was in spat with the government in the bar bribery case. Following the spat, he was removed from vigilance and made the fire force chief. There also he took strict action. He was later shifted to police housing construction corporation. Thomas’ response that truth has won soon after vigilance court’s order in the bar case had enraged the government. He was later issued a show cause notice. In the meanwhile, he made some indirect criticisms in the Facebook also. The chief secretary and the DGP too criticized his stand.

KASARGOD: In yet another incident of moral policing, KSRTC employees were attacked by group of people at Bandiyadukka in the district. Two employees of the Kasargod depot were assaulted brutally. The incident came to light after the clippings of the assault were loaded in WhatsApp. The police has started investigation.The incident happened on November 15. They were attacked after inviting them for a feast. They were first given liquor and then a gang including women demanded money from them. However, when they refused to give money, they were assaulted in the name of immoral traffic. They were beaten up with slippers and brooms. Some of the local residents took the pictures in their mobile phones.On the next day of the incident, a woman from the gang lodged a complaint against the employees at the Bandiyadukka police station and KSRTC district office. It was mentioned that the case was settled after giving Rs one lakh. The woman later withdrew the complaint. The police stopped the investigation as the case was withdrawn.

THRISSUR: Three boys drowned when they went to bathe in the Bharathapuzha in the district on Sunday. The three are Adarsh, Niyaz and Mehboob of Kachivettoor, all aged 14. They went for a bath on the Deshamangalam part while coming back after tuition.The local residents and the fire force fished out the bodies from the river.

THRISSUR: Three boys drowned when they went to bathe in the Bharathapuzha in the district on Sunday. The three are Adarsh, Niyaz and Mehboob of Kachivettoor, all aged 14. They went for a bath on the Deshamangalam part while coming back after tuition.The local residents and the fire force fished out the bodies from the river.

THRISSUR: Three boys drowned when they went to bathe in the Bharathapuzha in the district on Sunday. The three are Adarsh, Niyaz and Mehboob of Kachivettoor, all aged 14. They went for a bath on the Deshamangalam part while coming back after tuition.The local residents and the fire force fished out the bodies from the river.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Registering a case against opposition MLAs in connection with the unruly scenes in the assembly was part of further procedures of police investigation, said Speaker N Shakthan.I haven’t directed to register a case against them. He said this while responding to the case registered against the MLAs for damaging the speaker’s dais and computer on the day the budget was presented. I want the assembly session to function smoothly, he said.

KANNUR: A four-year-old-child suffered injuries after she was bitten by a stray dog in Kannur. Haifa, daughter of Ashraf of Azheekode, was bitten by a stray dog when she was playing in her house. She sustained injuries on her face. The dog was scared away by her parents and relatives. She has been admitted at the Kannur district hospital. Her conditions is stated to be stable.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan is trying to change as Kerala Togadia, said KPCC chief V M Sudheeran. He is working as per the script of the RSS, blamed Sudheeran.Vellappally has the same style of Togadia spewing communal poison. It is the manner of Vellapally to register the special attributes of him to others. Sudheeran asked Vellappally to clarify what assurance he got during the meet held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.

THRISSUR: Three students, who went for a bath in Bharathapuzha in the district, have been reported missing. The three has been identified as Adarsh, Niyaz and Mehboob of Kachivettoor. They went for a bath at the Deshamangalam part.The local residents and the fire force are engaged in search operations.

THRISSUR: Three students, who went for a bath in Bharathapuzha in the district, have been reported missing. The three has been identified as Adarsh, Niyaz and Mehboob of Kachivettoor. They went for a bath at the Deshamangalam part.The local residents and the fire force are engaged in search operations.

THRISSUR: Three students, who went for a bath in Bharathapuzha in the district, have been reported missing. The three has been identified as Adarsh, Niyaz and Mehboob of Kachivettoor. They went for a bath at the Deshamangalam part.The local residents and the fire force are engaged in search operations.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tax secretary K Ajith’s statement to the vigilance that the license fee for bars was reduced from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 23 lakh as per the directive of Excise Minister K Babu in 2013, has been exposed. Ajith said the excise commissioner had recommended to increase it to Rs 25 lakh.Meanwhile, in the pre-budget meet held in February 2013, the minister’s statement to bar owners that there are plans to increase the bar license fee, has also been revealed. Babu’s statement said the meet is convened in all years and it wasorganised on the basis of bar owners’ memorandum.The minister said in the meet that the excise commissioner had recommended to increase the license fee to Rs 25 lakh from Rs 22 lakh. Babu said that he had told the bar owners, who wanted to reduce the fee to Rs 18 lakh, that a single penny would not be reduced. The minister said that he knew bar association working president Biju Ramesh but had not mingled with him so much. Babu said that he neither spoke to bar owners after the officials left the place nor has received money as levelled by Biju. Babu told vigilance that his children’s families have land in Theni and Karnataka.Meantime, excise commissioner Anil Xavier told vigilance that there are minutes for the meet convened on February 4 in 2013.

THRISSUR: SNDP yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan has made a serious allegation that as the Devaswom boards are governed by political parties, this gives a good opportunities for minority communities to share the temple wealth among themselves.

He was speaking at the reception meeting of Samatva Munnetta Yatra at Thrissur Thekkinkadu maidan.

“The whole income from Kadambuzha temple is deposited in the cooperative society and it is totally shared by the minorities.By depositing the income from Guruvayur temple in bank, does it benefit Hindus? Hindus are generating the income and it is being taken away by the minorities. People with no abilities are appointed in Devaswoms and they mismanage temples. But, will the government dare to exercise control over the worship places of minority communities? Through Land Reformation bills, it was the temples that stood to lose the land and wealth. Hindus who realise this are uniting,” Vellapally said.

He said: “When 70 percent Arts and Science Colleges were given to the minorities, the majorities got only 30 percent. When the Christian community got 4193 Aided schools, Ezhavas got only 363. When 8216 acre government land was given to Christian community, Ezhavas got only 30 acre. Due to poverty and conversion, the Hindus became 55 percent fro 6 before. Among the landless 22 lakh persons, 99 per cent are Hindus, Christians are 9 percent and Muslims.”

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A FIR was submitted in the crime branch magistrate court arraigning six opposition MLAs in connection with the unruly scenes witnessed in the assembly on the day the then Finance Minister K M Mani presented the budget.Those arraigned are V Sivankutty, E P Jayarajan, K Ajith, C K Sadasivan, Kunhammed Master and K T Jaleel. The FIR stated that they destroyed public property worth Rs 2 lakh by occupying the Speaker's podium and destroying equipment and furniture.The FIR was submitted a month before. However, the details were revealed only today. The FIR was registered after seeking the opinion of the law department. All the other members except C K Sadasivan was suspended in the incident during that session. The suspension was cancelled soon after the assembly was adjourned sine die.Mani couldn’t read the budget fully due to the logjam. V Sivankutty, K K Lathika had sustained injuries in the melee. Jameela Prakasham had alleged that she was insulted by K Sivadasan Nair.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI former state secretary Panniyan Raveendran criticised Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar for his statement against women. Panniyan asked Kanthapuram to respond with dignity. He has no right to insult women in the name of religion, he said.Gender equality is not possible. Many of the things done by women are not possible by men. Giving birth and looking after children are nature’s gift to women. In general, women are not able to withstand a major crisis. They even lack courage to perform major surgeries including open heart, Kanthapuram had stated yesterday.

THODUPUZHA: A woman and her relative were killed after the car in which they were travelling collided with a KSRTC bus. The incident happened when the woman was returning after picking up her son from the airport. Three including her husband and children sustained injuries in the accident. The dead has been identified as Annamma Antony (45) of Mundakkayam and her husband’s nephew Bobby (35). Her husband Antony (56) and children Manu (26) and Meenu (22) have been admitted in a private hospital in Thodupuzha. The injures of Antony and Manu are stated to be serious.The incident happened Sunday morning near Muttam-Erattupetta route. The incident happened when the family was returning after picking up Manu, who was in the Gulf, from Nedumbassery airport. The KSRTC bus was proceeding to Perinthalmanna. The ghastly accident could have occurred when Bobby dozed off at the wheels.Bobby and Annamma died on the spot itself. Bobby was running an electrical shop. He leaves behind his wife Jessy and three-year-old daughter Anna.

THODUPUZHA: On the Mullaperiyar dam, leaks were spotted at six places. These were found during the examination of security subcommittee. There are leaks at 11,16,17 and 18 blocks. The committee said leak was also found on Baby dam. The examination will continue tomorrow.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM State Secretariat in a statement has said that the government’s move to bring law to regulate hartal will be an encroachment on the democratic rights of citizens.“Usually when such laws are brought, it will be discussed in the Assembly, then it is left to the subject/select committees and public opinion will be gathered after that. But now, against the normal practice, the government called a district-level meeting of SPs and collected opinions from them,” it said.The CPM also criticised the new system of collecting the opinions of the public through complaint box installed at police stations.“It is natural that the people will rise against government policies that shower hardships on people. But the government wants to thwart this using law. It also eyes the votes of those who hate hartals. The law will lead to a situation when one will have to seek the permission of the very government against which the protest is to be held. Thus, the government’s initiative to do away with the democratic rights of citizens to protest can’t be tolerated,” it said.

MALAYINKEEZHU: The body of Sanu (27), a resident of Kurisumuttom, K V Nagar Mottal Vila, who gone into Kundamankadavu River to take bath, was spotted today. He had gone missing since Thursday morning 8:45 after he was caught in a strong river current. Though the Fireforce personnel from Chenkachula and local divers had conducted search for two days, they could not find the body. The body was spotted today at around 5:30 am a few kilometres away from the spot where Sanu had gone to take bath.

MALAYINKEEZHU: The body of Sanu (27), a resident of Kurisumuttom, K V Nagar Mottal Vila, who gone into Kundamankadavu River to take bath, was spotted today. He had gone missing since Thursday morning 8:45 after he was caught in a strong river current. Though the Fireforce personnel from Chenkachula and local divers had conducted search for two days, they could not find the body. The body was spotted today at around 5:30 am a few kilometres away from the spot where Sanu had gone to take bath.

KAYAMKULAM: Two girl students who consumed Othalanga fruit (Cerbera odollam) have been admitted to Alappuzha Medical College after they started experiencing discomfort. According to doctors, their condition is not out of danger. They are the eight standard students of a school in Krishnapuram.The suicide attempt came to light after they disclosed the matter to their classmates in the morning at around 10:30, who in turn informed their teachers about it. The teachers then rushed the students to Kayamkulam government hospital for primary treatment and after that they were shifted to the Medical College.Both students are close friends and they started from home at 8 am on Saturday. They had tuition till 9:30 am and it is believed that they consumed the fruit after that. Yesterday the parents had given them a dressing down for not studying well. Moreover one of their parents had received a call from some other parent that both were loafing around without showing interest in studies. The students are believed to have consumed poison after being hurt by these developments.

THRISSUR: SNDP yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan has said KPCC president V M Sudheeran, who said the other day that Samtva Munneta yatra is RSS’ quotation yatra, is a mean political leader. He was speaking at the reception accorded to his yatra at Thrissur Thekkinkadu maidan.“Sudheeran said this, being envied by the sight of tens of thousands of people turning up for the yata. Is it right on the part of Sudheeran to have said like that? After seeing the massive participation, they should realise that the Hindus have the strength to rule Kerala. Thousands are joining the yatra when both Left and Right are criticising it and threatening people against joining it. One thing is sure that many have lost their sleep after seeing the success of the yatra. From the beginning, the Congress and Communist have been ‘crucifying’ me but nothing can stop us,” he said. The other day Sudheeran said that strict action would be taken against Congress workers who join the yatra and he had also said that those who take part in the yatra are RSS’ quotation members. Vellapally made the above comments against the backdrop of Sudheeran’s statements.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police on Saturday started the investigation to find out the source of the fake social media news about actor Jagathy Sreekumar’s death after his family members lodged a complaint with Cyber Cell and City Police Commissioner in this regard.The news started doing the rounds from yesterday evening. It came out with the logo of prominent Malayalam new channel and under the heading Breaking news. It said that the actor collapsed and died in the house of his brother-in-law and the reason for the death was heart-attack. It even went on to add that the last rites would take place tomorrow afternoon.Jagathy’s daughter Sree Lekshmi said she would also file a police complaint. However, this is not a new thing in the social media and are seen as the pranks of mischief makers. Personalities like Madhuri Dixit, Mammukkoya and Salim Kumar have fallen prey to this.

Kottayam: There are some rumor about malayalam most famous director,actor Sreenivasan, who enter into politics, sreenivasan denied all the rumors. more over he is totally against present political leaderships.

NEW DELHI: Modi discusses GST bill with Manmohan, SoniaHopes of a thaw on the GST bill emerged tonight with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaching out to the Congress leadership, which will discuss within the party the government's response to its three objections on the measure.The government will establish "fresh contact" with the Congress once the party completes its internal discussion on the three issues of "their concerns" on which they made their position clear, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters after Modi met his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.This is the first direct outreach by Modi to the principal opposition ever since he came to power last year in a bid to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament in the winter session.Modi had invited Singh and Gandhi for a tea at his residence where the discussions covered issues pending before Parliament, particularly the large number of bills that have accumulated over the past two sessions.After the 45-minute meeting in which Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu was also present, Jaitley said the Congress leaders put forward their position with regard to the three issues which they felt were of concern to them.The Congress' three objections include the demand for specifying the proposed 18 per cent rate in the Constitution bill, opposition to additional one per cent levy on inter-state movement of goods and 100 per cent compensation to states for revenue loss for five years."The history and the background of the legislation and the government's response to these issues in detail were also explained to them."The Congress party leaders will be discussing within their own party and there would be after sometime a fresh contact between the government and them to discuss this subject further after they have discussed within the party and we have also considered the position that they have taken to us," Jaitley said.Jaitley said Naidu will be in touch with Congress leaders in both Houses to discuss the specific legislations pending in Parliament so work can proceed next week.The Bill has been stuck in Rajya Sabha where the BJP-led NDA lacks numbers to ensure its passage.

HASIMARA (WEST BENGAL): President Pranab Mukherjee Saturday said India is firmly committed to peace but is always prepared to deploy its military might to safeguard its sovereignty as he decorated two gallant IAF fighter aircraft squadrons at a strategic border airbase here.Mukherjee, the supreme commander of the armed forces, presented the President's Standards to the 22nd and 18th Squadrons of the Indian Air Force operating the strike and combat superior MiG-27 aircraft to secure Indian skies along the eastern theatre during peace times and war.The Squadrons are based here in Alipurduar district of West Bengal, strategically located right across the India-Bhutan border with the task to keep a vigil over the entire north east border skies of India."India's increasing eminence in the comity of nations draws its strength from the capabilities of our armed forces.Though we remain firmly committed to peace, we will use all our might to protect the sovereignty of the nation. I am confident that our valiant men and women in uniform will rise to the occasion," the President said after he accorded the honours to the two strike formations of the IAF.He lauded the air force by calling it the "cutting edge" of India's military might and praised its men and women as he said the armed forces, "exemplified by the air warriors who stand before us, reflect our steely resolve to defend our interests."The President's Standards are given to armed forces' units which render exceptional and dedicated service over a period of time.Both the units which got the honours today have been doing so since 50 years now.

KOZHIKODE: Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musalyar has come out with public comments against gender equality. He said equal status for men and women was against the principles of Islam. “Gender equality was against human conscience,” he said at a programme in Kozhikode on Saturday. “Women can only give birth to their children and the power to control the universe lies in the hands of men. Gender equality is something that is never going to happen. Moreover, women lacks the strength and guts,” said Kanthapuram, who asked whether there was any lady doctor who dared to conduct a heart surgery. Kanthapuram also rejected the allegations that sexual harassment took place in madrasas. He said those who make allegations should present evidence.

KOCHI: The city police on Thursday arrested a 29-year-old truck driver for making vulgar gestures at a woman. The accused was identified as Sanoj, a native of Varappuzha near here. According to police, Sanoj made vulgar gestures and passed lewd remarks at the complainant, a journalist, while she had been on her way to drop kids at a school near Palarivattom four days ago.

KALPETTA: Wayanad District Congress Committee president K L Poulose has denied the allegations raised by the family of P V John, the UDF candidate who had committed suicide inside the party office after he lost the recent civic body election, before a subcommittee of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC ). The family had complained before the committee that Poulose had abused John over phone after his defeat and this had led John to take the extreme step.Speaking to media persons here, Poulose said that he had never contacted John after the election and all the allegations against him were fabricated to destroy his political career. “John had mentioned names of three people who were responsible for his death in his suicide note. My name did not figure in it,” Poulose said.The recent revelations of the family after the leader of the opposition V S Achuthanandan paid them a visit were a part of conspiracy to tarnish his image and destroy the Congress. He himself had raised the issue before the KPCC and he had also demanded for a high-level inquiry into the death of John, Poulose said.

KOCHI: The city police on Thursday arrested a 29-year-old truck driver for making vulgar gestures at a woman. The accused was identified as Sanoj, a native of Varappuzha near here. According to police, Sanoj made vulgar gestures and passed lewd remarks at the complainant, a journalist, while she had been on her way to drop kids at a school near Palarivattom four days ago.

KANHANGAD: A 72-year-old man was killed and his brother sustained critical injuries when the car they were travelling in hit a tree at Mavungal town near here on Thursday morning. Isaac John, a native of Kottayam and settled down at Kadaba near Karnataka’s Puttur town, was killed on the spot. His brother V John Mathew, 64, has been admitted to a hospital in Mangaluru, the police said. The accident occurred at 5.30 a.m. when the driver of the car tried to save a pedestrian crossing the road. They were returning from Ernakulam after attending a funeral.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A child drowned and his mother went missing in the sea off the Muthalapozhi coast on Wednesday after the mother allegedly jumped off the Muthalapozhi bridge into the sea near the estuary. According to the Kadinamkulam police, fishermen returning from the sea and a few local people standing near the bridge had seen Sumi, 28, a native of Poothura near Anchuthengu and resident of Mampally, jumping off the bridge around 3.30 p.m., holding her three-and-a-half-year-old son Dawn. The fishermen and the local people, who rushed to the spot, managed to take Dawn out of the water soon, but he was declared brought dead at the Chirayinkeezhu Taluk hospital.A search and rescue effort, calling in the Fire and Rescue Services personnel and Marine Enforcement personnel from Vizhinjam is still on to trace Sumi, the police said.As per available information, Sumi, a dance teacher with a school at Poothura, had left her husband’s home at Mampally in the morning after telling her in-laws that she was taking Dawn, who was not well, to the hospital. What led her to the extreme step is being investigated. Sumi’s husband Pradeep is in the Gulf. The body of Dawn, meanwhile, has been shifted to the Chirayinkeezhu Taluk hospital morgue, the police said. Mother allegedly jumped off the Muthalapozhi bridge into the sea with the child.

ALAPPUZHA: Thousands of devotees took part in the Pongala festival at Chakkulathukavu Sri Bhagavathy temple, Neerettupuram, about 30 km from here, on Wednesday. Almost all roads leading to the temple were packed with devotees who came from different places to offer pongala. The pongala started with the chief priest bringing the torch lit from the sanctum sanctorum to the main hearth (pandara aduppu) set up near the flag mast of the temple in the morning.The hearths set up by devotees near the temple and along the roads were lit by the fire from the main hearth. Rice and porridge were cooked by the devotees as offering to the deity. Several roads leading to Neerettupuram from places such as Chengannur, Thiruvalla, Kidangara, and Edathua were occupied by devotees to set up hearths. Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure smooth conduct of the festival.Only women offer Pongala and the devotees had started pouring in since Tuesday. A regional holiday had been declared by the district administration for offices and educational institutions in Kuttanad, Chengannur and Mavelikara taluks on Wednesday in connection with the festival.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From Thursday, the city police will initiate action against pillion riders not wearing helmets, apart from against motorbike riders who violate Section 129 of the Motor Vehicle Act, which makes it mandatory for every person on a motorbike to wear protective headgear. The decision to implement the helmet rule for pillion riders as well, which was already approved by the High Court in September, came in the wake of the death of an 11-year-old boy at Pettah late on Tuesday, City Commissioner H Venkatesh said.Pointing out that the boy, Martin Rahul Raj, was riding pillion with his mother when the accident occurred, Mr. Venkatesh said there were several incidents in the recent past wherein accidents had turned fatal for pillion riders who were not wearing any sort of protective headgear. Further, he said, there was no logic in only one person wearing helmet, when the chances of being injured were there for everyone on the vehicle in case of an accident.According to the Commissioner, the special drive from Thursday would not be just for ensuring helmets for every two-wheeler rider, but to curb drunk driving and to check on the increasing number of complaints over reckless driving by heavy vehicles as well.The drive would ‘strictly’ ensure adherence to the helmet rule and take ‘stringent’ action against drunk driving, apart from continuing to regulate entry of heavy vehicles, especially tipper lorries into the city limits from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 pm. Apart from this, the City police are also planning an awareness campaign on safe driving and general traffic safety, involving heavy vehicle drivers and driving licence applicants.The attempt to streamline traffic and parking on MG Road, which is turning out to be quite successful, is also likely to be extended to other main roads in the city, with a focus on initiating action against drivers who parked their vehicles haphazardly and triggered traffic blocks.

KOZHIKODE: Contract company Sree Ram EPC will give Rs 3 lakh to the family of auto driver Naushadh, who died on Thursday after jumping into a manhole to save the lives of two labourers trapped inside it. The company made the above announcement on Friday.Earlier during the day, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy visited Naushadh’s house and offered to give his wife a government job based on her qualification. Naushadh was a native of Karuvasseri and he died after inhaling poisonous gas inside the manhole. The two contract labourers had also died in the incident.

PALAKKAD: SNDP Yogam General Secretary has said that Samatva Munnetta yatra aims at mopping up the tears of the poor while what both Fronts (Left-Right) do here are drinking their tears. He was speaking after inaugurating the reception given to his yatra at Palakkad Kotta maidan on Friday. “When I try to mop up tears, some forces are trying to blindfold my eyes. The Congress and Communist parties have threatened some Congress/Communist SNDP members against taking part in the yatra. This they have done fearing defeat in election and loss of power in the future,” said Vellapally who suggested a second Land Reformation in Kerala, so as to help the downtrodden and landless people find their domiciles.“Even when the government fails to give protection and help to farmers, they render all kinds of help to estate owners and rubber cultivators. This is injustice. The government’s policy is to cut out the facilities provided to the majorities and give that to the minority. The yatra should become a movement of Hindu community against this policy.”He said beef fest was conducted by organisations including DYFI to attract minority votes. He dared those who conduct beef fest to conduct pork festival. Vellapally said right from the day of announcing the Yatra, the Left-Right parties had been crucifying him, raising false allegations against him. “I am not going to back off fearing allegations. This ‘crucifixion’ has only strengthened our spirit. Increasing participation of people in the yatra day by day also proves this,” he added.

KOCHI: Kerala High Court has cancelled the sentence against 12 convicts in the Marad murder case. But the court upheld the sentencing of the second and 14th convicts.The incident related to the case took place in 2002 in connection with New Year celebrations. The violence resulted in the killing of three Hindus and two Muslims. At that time, 393 people from various political parties were arrested.

KASARGOD: Endosulfan victims again get Banks’ legal notice to attach their property. This has come regardless of the high court order suspending bank’s all legal procedures to attach their properties.The high court’s order came at a time when the government declared its debt-relief scheme. The bank had given notice to as many as 60 Endosulfan victims. The legal notices were sent by Kerala Grameen Bank and Belloor Cooperative Bank.

Opposition leader V S Achuthandan has said the banks’ action was inhumane and tantamount to contempt of court. KPCC president V M Sudheeran also said that the bank’s action could not be justified. He demanded that the chief minister intervene in the issue.

KOZHIKODE: The government Friday offered assistance to the next of kin of an auto driver, who died of asphyxiation, along with two others from Andhra Pradesh, in a manhole district yesterday.Talking to newspersons here, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy after visiting the house of auto driver, P Noushad, said his wife would be provided with a suitable government job as per her educational qualification.Candy said the government is duty-bound to extend financial assistance to wife and mother of Noushad, who became the pride of the state by sacrificing his life for others.The government will also bear expenses for the transportation of bodies of Bhaskar and Narasimha, who were asphyxiated in the sewer near Jaya Auditorium yesterday.Contract labourers Bhaskar and Narasimham, who entered the sewer for cleaning, died after inhaling poisonous gas.Noushad, who reached the spot after hearing screams from others also met the same fate, while attempting to rescue them.

Friday, November 27, 2015

ALAPPUZHA: The Crime Branch has taken Youth Congress Leader Naisal into custody for allegedly cheating people of lakhs of rupees after promising them job in the police department.Crime Branch Anti-Piracy Cell department DySP Muhammed Ekbal-headed team questioned him on Thursday. He was questioned based on another job scam accused Saranya’s statement that it was Naisal who had first took money from her by fraud after promising job. Later she was also lured into the job racket. She also revealed that Naisal and his gang had made away with all the swindled money. Meanwhile, Naisal has rejected Saranya’s statements; the fact that no one else has come forward with complaint against Nasial gives some relevance to his statement.Naisal agreed that being a youth congress worker, he had known Saranya for a long time. He had accompanied Saranya to the home minister’s house to give him a complaint against her husband’s harassment.Naisal, also rejected the statement that he had pilfered home minister’s seal from his camp office.Dismissing the allegation that he built his new house and bought new vehicles using fraud money, he said he just had two Fancy shops and a bike in his name.

KOLLAM: The CBI has found irregularities worth crore in state’s Cashew Development Corporation. Cashew was bought from a company that did not partake in the tender, the CBI alleged. Also the cashew nuts were sold without following the criteria. The cashew nuts were sold to 25 companies in Kollam and one in Delhi. The corporation spent the financial aid given for employees’ gratuity to renovate the building. The CBI will file the charge sheet soon.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two women who knocked down two policemen at a Kochi five star hotel and escaped in a car were arrested from Tamil Nadu on Thursday. The arrested were Thiruvananthapuram Vilappilsala native Mubeena and Alappuzha native Vandana.

The Crime Branch with the help of Tamil Nadu police arrested the women from an Ayurvedic resort in Paalappalam near Kulachil. Mubeena is the wife of Ashiq who was arrested earlier and Vandana is a small-time model. Mubeena’s bank account was used for money transactions related to the flesh trade.

Sulfikar, another native of Vilappilsala , who had provided help to the accused in Tamil Nadu, have also been arrested. All the three will be produced in the court in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The police were able to trace the women after an 18-hr intense search based on mobile phone locations.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said that he was ready for any inquiry into police job recruitment scam. He asserted at a press conference here on Wednesday that his office had no role in the job scam.“The allegation that prevail against the home ministry regarding the job scam is an unfortunate thing. If the Crime Branch feels that I have a role, let them investigate. When an accused in a case blurt out a minister’s name, it has become a fashion among certain media groups to go behind that. This is not an ethical practice. However, no mainstream media has gone behind that false allegation. It shows they were convinced of the truth. My office has no hand in the job fraud,” said Chennitha, who also asked how his office seal would be of any help to a candidate in getting a job. To another question, Chennithala said SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan’s Samatva Munnetta Yatra was only aimed at fostering communal hatred. “The aim is to create divide among the people. His policies are against Sree Narayana Guru’s priciples. People will spurn the party to be formed by Vellapally,” he added.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The bill controlling hartals will be presented in the coming assembly session, said Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. The bill will be passed in this session itself, he said while addressing the media.Chennithala said there is a situation where even small political parties announce hartals and this could not be permitted. Several directions were obtained in connection with the forming of the bill. A final shape has been given after compiling all that.Legal trade union strikes are not hartals. Peaceful demonstrations will not be regulated. Legal authority will not be limited in any way, the minister said.Chances will be given to public to give their opinions. Along with that, a bill to get rid of superstitions and black magic is under the consideration of the home department, he said.

KOCHI: The quantum of punishment for the first five convict who conducted secret camp at Panayikulam in Aluva camp in the name of banned organisation SIMI will be pronounced on November 30. While the trail on the punishment was going on today, the public prosecutor made a plea for awarding maximum punishment to the convicts.

The first five convicts are P.A. Shaduly alias Harris from Erattupetta; Abdul Rasik from Erattupetta; Ansar alias Ansar Naduim from Kodungalloor; Nizamudeen alias Nizamon from Alangadu; and Shammi alias Shammer from Erattupetta.

All the five were convicted under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for hatching conspiracy, convening meetings and giving instructions for anti-national activities. Besides that, Abdul Rasik and Ansar were found guilty of making anti-national speeches. Shaduly, and Abdul Rasik were found culpable for being a member of outlawed organisation.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader Palode Ravi may become the Deputy Speaker in the Kerala Assembly as K Muraleedharan MLA has expressed his unwillingness to take up the post.It was Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala who apprised Muraleedharan of the party’s plan to elevate him as the Deputy Speaker. I Group had also asked for the same.The latest report is that a consensus was reached within the Congress to make Palode Ravi the Deputy Speaker. He is the Nedumangadu MLA. The post of Deputy Speaker has been lying vacant ever since N Sakthan became the Speaker after resigning as Deputy Speaker. Though the RSP also had eyed Deputy Speaker’s chair, the Congrees was not ready to give up that post.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan has come out to criticise Pay Commission Chairman C N Ramachandran. In his sarcastic style VS ridiculed, “It is fortunate that Nair stopped short of saying that the employees need to confine their organisational activities to their homes. He is a person who enjoyed his leaves to the hilt while he was in service.”

KOZHIKODE: The government Friday offered assistance to the next of kin of an auto driver, who died of asphyxiation, along with two others from Andhra Pradesh, in a manhole district yesterday.Talking to newspersons here, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy after visiting the house of auto driver, P Noushad, said his wife would be provided with a suitable government job as per her educational qualification.Candy said the government is duty-bound to extend financial assistance to wife and mother of Noushad, who became the pride of the state by sacrificing his life for others.The government will also bear expenses for the transportation of bodies of Bhaskar and Narasimha, who were asphyxiated in the sewer near Jaya Auditorium yesterday.Contract labourers Bhaskar and Narasimham, who entered the sewer for cleaning, died after inhaling poisonous gas.Noushad, who reached the spot after hearing screams from others also met the same fate, while attempting to rescue them.

PALAKKAD: SNDP Yogam General Secretary has said that Samatva Munnetta yatra aims at mopping up the tears of the poor while what both Fronts (Left-Right) do here are drinking their tears. He was speaking after inaugurating the reception given to his yatra at Palakkad Kotta maidan on Friday. “When I try to mop up tears, some forces are trying to blindfold my eyes. The Congress and Communist parties have threatened some Congress/Communist SNDP members against taking part in the yatra. This they have done fearing defeat in election and loss of power in the future,” said Vellapally who suggested a second Land Reformation in Kerala, so as to help the downtrodden and landless people find their domiciles.“Even when the government fails to give protection and help to farmers, they render all kinds of help to estate owners and rubber cultivators. This is injustice. The government’s policy is to cut out the facilities provided to the majorities and give that to the minority. The yatra should become a movement of Hindu community against this policy.”He said beef fest was conducted by organisations including DYFI to attract minority votes. He dared those who conduct beef fest to conduct pork festival. Vellapally said right from the day of announcing the Yatra, the Left-Right parties had been crucifying him, raising false allegations against him. “I am not going to back off fearing allegations. This ‘crucifixion’ has only strengthened our spirit. Increasing participation of people in the yatra day by day also proves this,” he added.

KAZHAKKOOTTAM: The body of the woman, who allegedly jumped off the Muthalapozhi Bridge into the sea along with her son, has been recovered. The body recovered has been identified as that of Sumi (28) of Anchuthengu. Her body was recovered from Valiyathura.She jumped off the bridge holding her three-and-a-half-year-old son Dawn around 3.30 pm yesterday. Though the child was taken out of the water by the fishermen and the local people and taken to the hospital, his life could not be saved.Sumi was a dance teacher at a school in Poonthura. Her husband Pradeep is in the Gulf. She was staying with her mother-in-law at Mampally. She left home telling her in-laws that she was taking her son, who was not well, to the hospital. The police said she may have taken the extreme step due to family problems.

PALAKKAD: SNDP yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan has said that the recruitment of all those who take government salary should be made through Public Service Commission. “He said SNDP was ready to implement this in institutions functioning under S N Trust,” he said, asking whether other community organisations were ready for the same.Natesan was speaking on the sidelines of his Samatva Munnetta yatra.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala State government has nominated the name of Olympian Anju Boby Varghese for the post of Kerala Sports Council President. Kerala University Football coach P K Ibrahim Kutty will be the new vice-president. Anju will be replacing Padmini Thomas.The government has also nominated Athlete Preeja Sreedharan, volleybal star Tom Joseph, Kerala Cricket Association President T C Mathew and Sports And Youth Affairs Additional Director Najimudheen as Standing Committee members.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

KOCHI: The Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (CJM) ordered to produce Lashkar-e-Toiba operative Thadiyantavide Nazeer in connection with a case regarding attempts to influence the witnesses in the Bangalore blast case. The court has issued production warrant to produce Nazeer. He is currently lodged in Bangalore jail in the Bangalore blasts and Kalamassery bus torching cases.The police had recently arrested his aide Shahanaz of Perumbavoor. The police said investigations revealed that Shahnas had conspired to influence the witnesses in the blast case by threatening and luring them and attempted to destroy evidence as per the instruction of Nazeer. The letters sent by Nazeer were recovered from Shahanaz. He had visited Nazeer in jail eight times in the past one year.

KOCHI: The Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (CJM) ordered to produce Lashkar-e-Toiba operative Thadiyantavide Nazeer in connection with a case regarding attempts to influence the witnesses in the Bangalore blast case. The court has issued production warrant to produce Nazeer. He is currently lodged in Bangalore jail in the Bangalore blasts and Kalamassery bus torching cases.The police had recently arrested his aide Shahanaz of Perumbavoor. The police said investigations revealed that Shahnas had conspired to influence the witnesses in the blast case by threatening and luring them and attempted to destroy evidence as per the instruction of Nazeer. The letters sent by Nazeer were recovered from Shahanaz. He had visited Nazeer in jail eight times in the past one year.

KOLLAM: The accused, a biker responsible for injuring a second year degree student of D B College in Sasthamcotta, has been taken into custody. The arrested identified as Hari Kumar of Shooranad was absconding soon after the incident.Meantime, the student identified as Sayana (19), wife of Siddique, is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Ananthapuri Hospital in the capital city. The doctors attending on her said her condition is improving.The incident happened in front of the CCTV camera at the college gate on Tuesday evening. She was injured when a biker reportedly hit her while she was leaving the college at about 4 pm. The biker was an outsider, who came to the campus in an over-speeding two-wheeler.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

KOTTAYAM: In a case of alleged medical negligence resulting in the death of a girl who had sought medical care for her injured finger, the police have arrested the doctor who had treated her.

The arrested was Dr Sajin Luckose of Mukkoottuthara Azeesia hospital. The police said he didn’t possess the valid license to do medical practice in Kerala.

The girl who died the other day was Panchima aka Salomi (Alphonsa -23), the foster ward of the late Devasya and Aaniyamma from Erumeli.

On Tuesday, Salomi was admitted to hospital after she accidently cut off her thumb’s edge while she was cutting firewood. The doctor then reportedly gave test dose injection two times, after which she became unconscious. Though she was rushed to another hospital she died on the way.

Protests were held on Tuesday night in front of the hospital and on Wednesday at Mukkoottuthara.

When the relatives tried to take a march with the body to the hospital, the police prevented the attempt by brandishing lathis two times. Following this, the locals blocked Sabarimala pilgrims' path for hours.

KOLLAM: Don’t worry if the prices of petroleum and diesel are going up. Here comes a scooter that runs on fresh air. It is an exhibit at the ongoing State School Science Fair and was presented by Thrissur Azhikode SSMHSS students Basim Akthar and N A Aslahu. It is a showstopper in the science fair.According to the students, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle is the same as that of buying a cycle.In the gas tank used in the place of petrol tank, air can be filled using an air compressor. The gas tank has been made out of an old scooter engine. The air scooter also has four gears and it runs at a maximum speed of 30 km/hr. “With a little more modification, 80km/hr speed range can be attained. If there is demand, we wish to go for commercial production of the vehicle,” the students say.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are chances to hand over the online sex racket case to the CBI in the wake of their involvement in many more crimes.The high officials want a probe in the international level based on the information obtained after questioning the main accused Akbar and Joshi, arrested in the case.The police wants a detailed probe after their open revelation that five women has been trafficked to Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar via Nedumbassery airport.

KOLLAM: DYFI state secretary T V Rajesh, MLA, has alleged that SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan is operating a hawala racket with links in several countries. “I have evidence,” Rajesh said at a press meet on Tuesday. He said there was mystery behind the frequent foreign jaunts of Natesan’s son Thushar Vellappally and that a probe should be conducted into these trips. Rajesh said that the SNDP microfinance scheme was perhaps one of the biggest financial frauds the state had seen.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF has not yet finalized who will lead the front in the assembly polls, said CPM politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan. Talking to reporters here, he said there is no significance for talks being held now in selecting the chief minister. Pinarayi said, “Let the media discuss on who will lead the polls. Neither me nor my party has anything to opine on it.”I don’t think JD (U) is a party unmatched to the LDF. The CPM will think about it when they leave the UDF and come, but we are not after them, he said.

KOCHI: The death of Sivagiri Mutt chief Swamy Saswathikananda is found suspicious and so a probe should be conducted, the Kerala High Court directed the government on Wednesday. A bench led by Justice Kamal Paash asked how Saswathikananda, who knows swimming, can drown. The court considered the plea filed seeking a CBI probe in the case.A legal investigation has not been held in the case, observed the court. The police had not produced the FIR in the magistrate court. The court said the investigation was conducted without following the procedures as per the Criminal Procedure Act. The case was also not ended legally, they said. Though the government had ordered a further probe in the case, more investigation has not yet started, DGP informed the court. When police said more evidences have to be collected, the court then asked why an action plan was launched for the probe.Meantime, the government stated they are ready for any kind of probe as suggested by the court. The advocate general said they have nothing to hide in the case and if there is any suspicion, then it should be removed. For further argument, the case has been postponed to December 14.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Continuing his tirade against SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan alleged on Wednesday that the secretary had committed a corruption to the tune of Rs 11000 crore through Microfinance and appointment of teaching-non-teaching staff in colleges under SN Trust.

He said at a press conference here that he would move court, seeking an inquiry into Microfinance corruption. “Through Microfinance alone, the corruption of Rs 5000 crore was committed by Vellapally. When the norms say only five percent interest can be charged on loans, he charged 18 percent interest. Moreover, in the name of microfinance, crores of rupees was taken as loan from public sector units. For the recruitment of teachers under S N Trust he took Rs 600 crore as bribe and he took Rs 904 crore for the appointment of nonteaching staff. About two lakh gullible women were deceived in the name of Microfinance,” V S alleged.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Continuing his tirade against SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan alleged on Wednesday that the secretary had committed a corruption to the tune of Rs 11000 crore through Microfinance and appointment of teaching-non-teaching staff in colleges under SN Trust.

He said at a press conference here that he would move court, seeking an inquiry into Microfinance corruption. “Through Microfinance alone, the corruption of Rs 5000 crore was committed by Vellapally. When the norms say only five percent interest can be charged on loans, he charged 18 percent interest. Moreover, in the name of microfinance, crores of rupees was taken as loan from public sector units. For the recruitment of teachers under S N Trust he took Rs 600 crore as bribe and he took Rs 904 crore for the appointment of nonteaching staff. About two lakh gullible women were deceived in the name of Microfinance,” V S alleged.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Continuing his tirade against SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan alleged on Wednesday that the secretary had committed a corruption to the tune of Rs 11000 crore through Microfinance and appointment of teaching-non-teaching staff in colleges under SN Trust.

He said at a press conference here that he would move court, seeking an inquiry into Microfinance corruption. “Through Microfinance alone, the corruption of Rs 5000 crore was committed by Vellapally. When the norms say only five percent interest can be charged on loans, he charged 18 percent interest. Moreover, in the name of microfinance, crores of rupees was taken as loan from public sector units. For the recruitment of teachers under S N Trust he took Rs 600 crore as bribe and he took Rs 904 crore for the appointment of nonteaching staff. About two lakh gullible women were deceived in the name of Microfinance,” V S alleged.

KOCHI: The death of Sivagiri Mutt chief Swamy Saswathikananda is found suspicious and so a probe should be conducted, the Kerala High Court directed the government on Wednesday. A bench led by Justice Kamal Paash asked how Saswathikananda, who knows swimming, can drown. The court considered the plea filed seeking a CBI probe in the case.A legal investigation has not been held in the case, observed the court. The police had not produced the FIR in the magistrate court. The court said the investigation was conducted without following the procedures as per the Criminal Procedure Act. The case was also not ended legally, they said. Though the government had ordered a further probe in the case, more investigation has not yet started, DGP informed the court. When police said more evidences have to be collected, the court then asked why an action plan was launched for the probe.Meantime, the government stated they are ready for any kind of probe as suggested by the court. The advocate general said they have nothing to hide in the case and if there is any suspicion, then it should be removed. For further argument, the case has been postponed to December 14.